Welwyn Jazz festival presents big name musicians

By Heather Jan Brunt

Big names from the world of jazz will feature in the line up of the sixth Herts Jazz festival taking place in September.

Headliners at the three day event are Tim Garland’s Quartet, Gilaz Atzmon with Strings and a Mingus/Monk Big Band tribute.

Other stars featured throughout the weekend include Julian Joseph, Keith Tippett, The Printmakers, Gerd Dudek, Laurie Cottle and Derek Nash’s Picante.

The festival, held at the Hawthorn Theatre in Welwyn Garden City from Friday September 16 through to Sunday September 18, will have a similar format to previous years which was so popular, with free of charge sessions in the foyer during the lunch and dinner intervals and after hours.

The free sessions will also feature stars from the British jazz scene such as Nigel Price, Bryan Spring and David Newton.

Festival director Clark Tracey said: “It is great for us to be able to present such a prestigious collection of the best in jazz here in Welwyn garden City.

“Our festival goers know that they are going to see a great variety of jazz styles from established stars and some new faces.

“That’s what the Herts Jazz Festival is all about.”

The festival programme looks like this:

Friday starts at 8.30pm with the Tim Garland Quartet followed by a free late night set from the Bryan Spring Trio.

Saturday’s programme opens at 11.30am with a free performance from the Herts Youth Jazz Ensemble. They are followed by The Printmakers; Lunch in the Foyer with Neil Angilley Trio (free); Dunmall/Tippett/McCredie/Tracey; Ernie Wilkins’ Top Brass Revisited; Dinner in the Foyer with the Dave Newton/Andrew Cleyndert Duo (free); Gilad with Strings; and ends at 10.30pm with After Hours in the Foyer Introducing Sean Payne (free).

Sunday’s programme opens at 11.30am with Derek Nash’s Picante. He is followed by Gerd Dudek; Lunch in the Foyer with the Nigel Price Organ Trio (free); Laurie Cottle Quintet; Julian Jospeh Trio; Dinner in the Foyer with Daniel Casimir Trio (free); and the Mingus/Monk Big Band Tribute.

Early bird festival weekend tickets are now on sale at www.hertsjazzfestival.co.uk and at the Hawthorn Theatre box office, 0300 3039 620. Full details of the festival can also be found on the website.